Draco slowly woke up from his slumber. It appeared that he was awoken by the sound of voices at the end of the room. Trying to remain still, he listened to what was being said:

"…I don't know Severus, how do we know that he wasn't sent to spy on the order? I don't like him being here, in the heart of it all." Came a gruff voice, which was evidently trying to be as quiet as possible but failing miserably.

Draco felt his blood run cold. Would they make him go back to the manor? His father would hate him even more for being a werewolf – would find more reasons to torture him. Surely they wouldn't? His mother's eyes wouldn't even glance at Draco anymore, because she would be so disgusted.

"I know my godson, Alistair," said a silky smooth voice which Draco recognised immediately as his godfather. He could also hear the underlying currents of anger in the voice, not noticeable unless you knew what to look for. "And that is not the case. I do believe in having constant vigilance, but really that is beyond absurd. Do you not think Draco has suffered enough without having these accusations hovering over him?"

He could almost sigh in relief. Yes, Severus would defend him. If he was made to leave, Severus would make sure he was safe. He would not be sent back to the manor, of that he was sure.

Draco peeked through his eyes to see what was going on. He could see Severus standing in a defensive posture in front of the doorway with his back to him to prevent Mad Eye from coming in.

"Very well, Snape. But if I get one inkling of foul play then I won't hesitate to put an end to it. Am I making myself clear?" Moody growled, before stalking his way down the hall, and away from Severus and Draco.

Draco opened his eyes fully now that Mad Eye was gone. Severus sighed and closed the door as quietly as he could, probably so that it would not disturb Draco. He turned slowly and was surprised to see his godson awake and looking at him with wide eyes.

He moved swiftly to the bed and began to run a basic diagnostic spell on Draco. Once he was satisfied he sat in a chair next to the bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

Draco blinked owlishly before thinking about the question he was being asked. How was he feeling?

"Not bad," he admitted. "My shoulder still twinges now and again, but nothing unexpected."

Severus raised an eyebrow at Draco. Surely, after all he had gone through last night, he would feel more than just a twinge of the shoulder?

"Is that it?" He asked with a frown.

Draco frowned back with uncertainty. "Yes, how else am I supposed to feel?"

Severus leaned back in his chair with a serious expression on his face. "Well for a start you should be feeling severe mental fatigue, yet you seem completely awake and the diagnostics show that you are only mildly tired, as you have just woken up."

Draco shrugged as he was as clueless as his Godfather seemed to be and he lacked knowledge of what he could say. Severus continued to muse and look at him with a critical eye. Draco began to feel uncomfortable under the scrutiny and was glad when someone knocked sharply on the door.

"Enter," Snape called, and in came a middle-aged woman carrying a try full of tea and toast.

"Oh you're awake dear, my name is Molly, Molly Weasley," said the women with a warm smile. "I just thought you might want something to eat when you woke up, there's a warming charm on it so it doesn't go cold. Eat up now love, you look awfully thin."

Draco stared at her in shock. For one moment, he was incredibly envious of the Weasley's. When had his mother ever done this for him? She would not even care to tell a house elf to make sure he had something to eat. Why couldn't his mother be more like this? In that moment, he wished he was a Weasley. Forget riches, forget being a blood traitor or having bright red hair. He would forgo it all if it meant having a family who cared, who would tease him for taking one too many helpings at dinner and all of the pleasant things he associated with families.

Not realising how long he had been silent, he was surprised to see Molly Weasley still standing at the foot of the bed, wringing her hands nervously and looking at Draco who was still stunned by the turn of events.

"T-t-thank you," he managed to stutter out.

Molly Weasley beamed. "You're welcome, young man. Now, if you need anything give me a shout." With that, she left the room, humming something that sounded very familiar to a song by Celestina Warbeck.

He turned back to Severus who looked less stunned than he, but then he was most likely hiding his surprise. Draco opened his mouth to speak, yet no words came out, so he closed it again. He looked at his breakfast tray and cautiously picked up a piece of toast which was covered in strawberry jam.

Hesitantly, he took a bite out of the toast, and was glad he did as it had to have been the most delicious toast he had ever eaten. Clearing his plate, he moved onto his tea, and looked at Severus expectantly. He could tell the man wanted to tell him something.

Severus cleared his throat when he saw he had Draco's attention and began to speak in a low tone, which surprised Draco, as this was a rare occurrence.

"Right now, the order is split into two factions. Those who want to use you as a spy and those who have your interests in hand. Be cautious, Draco. This may be the light side, but it is not by all means perfect."

Draco thought over his response carefully, and was – not for the first time – glad that his godfather was someone who would not get impatient for a reply.

"Who should I be most cautious of?" He asked. "I'd rather not be on alert all time I'm around someone. I've had enough of that to last a lifetime."

"That is not as clear as of yet, and there are some still undecided. Added to that, I have not left this room for a while." He said dryly with a small chuckle.

Draco echoed his godfather's chuckle, yet he felt nothing in it. Could he ever be safe? Ever be truly happy?

These questions, that seemed to be constantly swirling in his head, echoed eerily in his mind. The doubt crept into his mind slowly, but surely. What if he lived his rest of his life on the run? What then? Could he even call that sort of pitiful existence a life? Would he have anyone to call a friend, mentor or lover?

Severus watched as his godson fought his inner battles. He could only guess what was going on in his mind, but it did not take a genius to figure it out.

He hoped Draco's future wasn't as bleak as it seemed. Being a werewolf would never be easy, but also being a target of the Dark Lord himself? And with Lucius behind him…Who knew what two psychotic men could create or destroy…

He was pulled out of his own reverie when Draco was tapping on his shoulder.

"I think you should go get some sleep Sev," Draco said. "You look like you're about to collapse."

Too weary to fight back, he simply nodded and exited to room. Draco watched as his Godfather left the room worriedly. Obviously last night's event had taken an unexpected toll on him.

"Hi."

Draco looked up at the door and was surprised to note that the youngest Weasley was standing at the doorjamb.

"Hello."

Taking that as an invitation to enter, Ginny walked hesitantly into the room and decided to sit down into the seat that Severus had just vacated.

For a few moments it was silent in the small room, so having enough Draco decided to break it.

"Why are you here?"

Blinking rapidly at the question (nerves?), Ginny answered slowly. "Well, I'm here with my family for the rest of the summer holidays." She stammered.

Draco shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I meant; why are you here, visiting me?"

"I saw you last night. When you were…hurt." Ginny whispered.

Understanding dawned on Draco. It was not every day that you saw someone you knew; no matter how much you dislike them to have that happen to them.

"Oh," was all he could say.

Ginny nodded and averted her eyes so that she was looking out onto the dull summer weather. "So how are you feeling now?" She asked.

"Better," Draco replied. "Much better."

She turned to look back at him and gave him a small smile. "I'm glad. Well, I guess I should let you rest. Goodbye Draco."

"Wait," He called as she was almost out the room. "Will you come back?"

Stopping, she gave him another smile. "Okay." And with that, she left.

Draco also smiled. It was a nice shock to find that someone else apart from Severus, and maybe Remus, cared for him – no matter how slight.

He frowned. Speaking of his fellow werewolf, where was he?

It was then he felt a sudden tug both mentally and physically. He was taken aback for a few moments, while the tugging sensation was still searing through him, until clarity went through him like a glittering diamond.

He and Remus were a pack.

Once again, he felt the tug, but this time he ignored it. He faintly remembered what he had read in the many books at the Library at Malfoy Manor.

"A werewolf pack is a type of family like no other. There is a deep connection between the members of the pack, meaning that protecting each other is second nature. They will feel a pull towards their pack member if even the slightest thing is not quite right…"

He pinched the bridge of his nose as the small paragraph haunted his thoughts. He had a feeling that his life was most certainly not going to get any easier and was probably going to be an extremely rocky road. This was a journey that he hoped would finish as quickly as it has started.